Affordable High-Definition with JVC's New GZ-HD3

JVC has just announced a new HDD camcorder that combines the HD capabilities of the GZ-HD7 with the slim factor of the GZ-MG series.

The new GZ-HD3 uses three 16:9 progressive scan CCDs, each dedicated to one of the three primary colors - red, green, blue, to capture 1440x1080 high definition material. If you find the resolution insufficient for your needs? well, just fork out more money and get the 1920x1080i capable GZ-HD7.

The lens block also uses CCD pixel shift technology to increase the horizontal and vertical resolution. Just as the GZ-HD7, the GZ-HD3's image processing is also driven by JVC's HD Gigabrid Engine, which processes images from the progressive CCDs in native progressive to maintain as much quality as possible while applying five different noise reduction technologies to improve vertical resolution by approximately 30 percent from previous JVC standard definition camcorders.

Unlike the GZ-HD7, which employs a Fujinon lens, HD Everio GZ-HD3 uses a Konica Minolta HD unit with an ultra-compact hybrid aspherical lens system using low dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberrations.

As for the hard disk, videographers can use the available 60GB in SP mode (22 Mbs) that allows up to about seven hours of HD recording, XP mode that records at a higher 30Mbs bit rate for about 5 hours and an additional 1440CBR mode, convenient for those who wish to edit using HDV-compatible software.

In terms of connectivity, the GZ-HD3 includes a HDMI terminal and component outputs so HD footage can be viewed on the latest HDTV displays. Standard AV-S terminals that output a down-converted SD signal are also there to provide connectivity to ordinary standard definition TVs. USB and i.LINK connectors are included for transferring recordings to a personal computer for editing.

The GZ-HD3, priced at around $1,300 and slated for early September, comes bundled with the HD Editing CyberLink BD Solution for editing HD footage on a Windows PC, as well as author that footage to DVD and Blu-ray discs. A plug-in is also provided that allows Mac users to import the HD footage into editing applications like iMovie HD and Final Cut Pro.

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